Indiana

Jesus, Christ-Garcia

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

I have to admit I was a bit surprised at the verdict Friday in the Doris Minton-McNeil trial.  While I wasn’t sure if she would be convicted up felony battery, I thought she might get convicted on misdemeanor resisting arrest.   But as you know all four charges were dismissed.

Judge Annie Christ-Garcia did not issue any opinions regarding her decision, which I think is a mistake.  Christ-Garcia is a newly elected Democrat judge, Minton-McNeil is a Democratic Councilor.  Her attorney, Marc Sullivan, ran against Virgina Cain in 2003 as a Democrat and there were several Democratic members of the Council at the trial.  And remember, the Council controls the purse strings of the judiciary.

Now I’m not allegding anything untoward, but I think in a situation like this and under these circumstances, an explanation would probably go a long way to letting the the public know that justice was administered fairly and properly.  So the next time an elected official goes before her, Democrat or Republican, the public will have confidence in decisions coming from her bench.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on July 20, 2009 (boomark / email).